Jazz Drumming with Jay Lawrence
As lead drummer on the A-ccompany Jazz Library, Jay brings an insane amount of chops and all-around coolness to the tracks. In his Mentored by the Masters series, Jay teaches the language of Jazz Drumming in a very informative and fresh way. This series is packed with technique, style, history, jargon, and more.
Jay Lawrence is a celebrated musician who has enjoyed a diverse career as a performing and recording artist. Jay is a distinguished drummer, ethnic and orchestral percussionist, composer and arranger, educator, clinician, adjudicator, bandleader, contractor, and author.
Jay has performed with an impressive list of artists: Paul Anka, Natalie Cole, Sammy Davis Jr., Gladys Knight, Frank Jr. and Nancy Sinatra, Randy Brecker, Eddie Daniels, Brandon Fields, Carl Fontana, Wycliffe Gordon, Don Menza, James Moody, New York Voices, John Pizzarelli, Arturo Sandoval, Tom Scott, Bobby Shew, Diane Schuur, and Byron Stripling to name just a few.
Mastering Improvisation with Kris Johnson
Mastering Improvisation, with Kris Johnson, is a 21-part video series where students learn the sometimes intimidating principle of improvisation. Kris approaches improv like learning a language: first, you listen and fall in love with the language. Next, transcribe, learn, and recite what you hear from great recordings. Lastly, use your musical vocabulary to come up with your own improvised “sentences.”
The series covers a wide range of skills, from navigating various scales to transcribing to understanding chord function. While Kris leads the instruction with trumpet demonstrations, he applies the principles to the entire band.
Kris Johnson is an award-winning trumpeter, composer, and educator. He has been featured as a soloist and writer/arranger on an impressive list of albums including five Grammy-nominated releases. He is perhaps most well known for his work with The Count Basie Orchestra.